The NBA Summer League is not just about basketball action on the court; it’s offering a platform where athletes can express themselves in a different arena — filmmaking. With the backing of basketball legend Kevin Garnett and Hollywood figures like Mark Wahlberg and Deon Taylor, the Summer League Film Festival (SLFF) is making its return to Las Vegas starting July 17. This unique event, running over three days, will showcase 34 specially chosen projects that delve into the art of storytelling, with contributions from both former and current NBA stars, such as Nikola Jokic, Luguentz Dort, Tony Allen, Nate Robinson, Cole Anthony, Keyon Dooling, and Udonis Haslem.
Garnett, known for his success with the Boston Celtics, cofounded Content King Studios, a production venture aimed at championing filmmakers focused on genuine, real-life narratives. “The SLFF is a wonderful opportunity for filmmakers to gather, share their work, and celebrate each other,” Garnett expressed. “It provides a chance for these projects to gain recognition, secure funding, or even be sold.”
Now in its second year, the festival will be set at the Strip View Pavilion within the Thomas & Mack Center, the long-standing venue for the Summer League, established in 2004 by Warren LeGarie and Albert Hall. “It’s incredible to watch NBA players bring dynamic stories to the big screen,” Wahlberg noted, whose own production outfit is known as Unrealistic Ideas.
To guide athletes as they venture into the filmmaking world, Deon and Roxanne Avent Taylor from Hidden Empire Film Group have teamed up with the initiative. Deon Taylor, acclaimed for directing films such as “Black and Blue” and “Fatale,” articulated that today’s athletes are more than just players; they are influential creators and storytellers with global impact. This endeavor marks another sports-centric project for Hidden Empire, which collaborated earlier this year with Skydance Sports and the NFL to conduct filmmaking workshops for NFL athletes.
Taylor emphasized that partnering with Garnett, Wahlberg, Hall, and the NBA signifies a transformative cultural shift. This movement would enable athletes to take charge of their own narratives across film, TV, and other media outlets. “We are collectively redefining the intersection of sports, art, and culture,” he remarked.
Among the festival highlights will be the premiere screening of “UNLV: Kings of Vegas,” an exploration of the untold narrative surrounding the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels. The documentary will feature interviews with well-known personalities such as Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, and Jimmy Kimmel and will be brought to the screen by former UNLV stars Larry Johnson, Stacey Augmon, Greg Anthony, along with Damien Big Percy Roderick and Hidden Empire Film Group.
In addition to the screenings, the film festival will host exclusive events. These include a special viewing of “Tony Allen: The Grindfather” and a closing party. Hall remarked, “The SLFF team is devoted to elevating these remarkable films and filmmakers who are contributing diverse content during the NBA Summer League.” With the multitude of talented filmmakers who have submitted entries this year, Hall remains optimistic about the potential for the SLFF to evolve and expand during the Summer League’s second weekend in 2025.